Mermaiding is a THING. What's THAT about? And what does it have to do with choral music?

Not THAT much, so only give this a listen if you love mermaids or are obsessed with Ariel from The Little Mermaid, and want to explore the actual world of real life mermaiding.  Yes, it's really a THING. Of course, there are always - at most - six degrees of separation between any two people or topics.  In literature and music, mermaids have always been a popular subject.  In the Romantic period, composer Clara Shumman set German poet Heinrich Heine's  "Die Lorelei," to music as an art song.  It's been wonderfully arranged as an SSA piece by Brandon Williams, available at J.W. Pepper.  But really,  this inaugural episode of what will be a monthly series is offered as an escape to take us choral folks outside the choir world into another world that perhaps we didn't know existed, or maybe we've always wondered..."what's THAT About!?" Our special guest is Hailey Michaux, a real mermaid! Some mermaids do it for the pictures and modeling.  Some mermaids do it for the pageants and glamour.  Hailey, as a life long advocate for conservation, does it to bring joy to kids (including "Make a Wish" kids), and to raise their awareness about the importance of healthy oceans.  There is power in mermaiding! There is also DRAMA. As Hailey puts it, "it’s not all sunshine and tail flips." Here's the tea. It turns out there's a seedy, backstabbing, bitchy aspect to this world where  - for some - purity is paramount.  #finfolkvs.finfun And how about the black market of tails. Steve and Hailey cover it all - including mermaid bras.  Yes, it's a thing.  This hobby (or professional for some) can be expensive. But do not fear. Second hand mermaid bras can be acquired online. (Isn't that a Seinfeld episode?) And then there’s the question of what a mermaid looks like and who is allowed to be a mermaid. (Hailey says, "Anyone!") Times are a changin', but as in all worlds, change comes slow.  You won't believe what some in the mermaid community asserted when Halle Bailey, a performer of color, was announced as the lead in The Little Mermaid  movie. Does a mermaid have to be skinny?  Not in 2021! Does a mermaid have to be female? Ah, what you never heard of "mermen." There are even "mertenders." You can't make this stuff up! To get the skinny - or not - give a listen to this hour long, deep dive (sorry, couldn't resist) into this very intense, fascinating and strange world of mermaiding.  And don't forget to follow Hailey @mermaid.anemone on Instagram.